Ailsa Changhttp://publicradioeast.org
enEffort To Strip Planned Parenthood's Federal Funding Fails In Senatehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/effort-strip-planned-parenthoods-federal-funding-fails-senate
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Effort+To+Strip+Planned+Parenthood%27s+Federal+Funding+Fails+In+Senate&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4NjQ0NDk1MDEzMjMxODc4NjkyZGE3Mw004)"/></div><p>Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:49:00 +0000Ailsa Chang75137 at http://publicradioeast.orgObama Administration Officials Defend Iran Nuclear Deal Before Senatehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/obama-administration-officials-defend-iran-nuclear-deal-senate
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Obama+Administration+Officials+Defend+Iran+Nuclear+Deal+Before+Senate&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODc1ODA5MDEyMjg1MDYxNTFiZTgwZg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>The task before the secretaries of state, energy and treasury is what you might call a heavy lift - convincing skeptical lawmakers that the Iran nuclear agreement is a good deal that they should support.Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:58:00 +0000Ailsa Chang74303 at http://publicradioeast.orgFather Of Slain San Francisco Woman Testifies Before Congresshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/father-slain-san-francisco-woman-testifies-congress
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Father+Of+Slain+San+Francisco+Woman+Testifies+Before+Congress&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA3OTgyNDI4MDEzMTM0MjQzMTZlNDI0Mg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>After Donald Trump criticized Mexican immigrants, he tried to focus the country's attention on the story of Kate Steinle. Police say the woman was killed in San Francisco by a man who illegally re-entered the United States after multiple deportations.Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:19:00 +0000Ailsa Chang74135 at http://publicradioeast.orgCongress To Begin 60-Day Review Period Of Iran Nuclear Dealhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/congress-begin-60-day-review-period-iran-nuclear-deal
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Congress+To+Begin+60-Day+Review+Period+Of+Iran+Nuclear+Deal&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTYwMDQ1MDEzMzE1ODcyMjRmY2FlMA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>Lawmakers in Washington have been waiting for months to pick apart the accord with Iran. Now they're getting 60 days to review it, culminating with an opportunity to reject the agreement.Tue, 14 Jul 2015 21:32:00 +0000Ailsa Chang73652 at http://publicradioeast.orgA Conservative Firebrand From The Start, Ted Cruz Always Had A Planhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/conservative-firebrand-start-ted-cruz-always-had-plan
<em>This story is part of NPR's series </em><a href="http://www.npr.org/series/415173943/journey-home">Journey Home</a><em>. We're going to the places presidential candidates call home and finding out what those places tell us about how they see the world.</em><p>Boldness comes more naturally to Ted Cruz than compromise. Barely through his first year in the Senate, the Texas Republican bucked his party leaders and became the public face of a government shutdown while standing up for conservative ideals.Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:28:00 +0000Ailsa Chang72868 at http://publicradioeast.orgA Conservative Firebrand From The Start, Ted Cruz Always Had A PlanSenate Votes To Push Forward White House Trade Planshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/senate-votes-push-forward-white-house-trade-plans
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Senate+Votes+To+Push+Forward+White+House+Trade+Plans&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDEwNzk4NjQwMDEzNTkxNDE0MTg3ZGYxMA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: <p>A bill that would give the White House expedited authority to enter into a Pacific Rim trade agreement finally appears to be on a path to the president's desk. The bill cleared a major procedural hurdle in the Senate today.Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:54:00 +0000Ailsa Chang72057 at http://publicradioeast.orgRepublicans Don't Have A Plan Yet To Replace Obamacare Subsidieshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/republicans-dont-have-plan-yet-replace-obamacare-subsidies
As the Supreme Court edges closer to issuing an opinion that could deal a blow to the federal health exchange operating in more than 30 states, Democrats have sounded a warning to their colleagues on the other side: Be careful what you wish for.<p>If GOP lawmakers get the court decision they've been hoping for, it will be up to the Republican-controlled Congress to figure a way out of the mess. After more than 50 votes in the House to repeal either all or parts of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans have yet to unveil a proposal on how to replace the health care law.Tue, 23 Jun 2015 16:25:00 +0000Ailsa Chang72035 at http://publicradioeast.orgRepublicans Don't Have A Plan Yet To Replace Obamacare SubsidiesSenate Allows 3 Provisions Within The Patriot Act To Expirehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/senate-allows-3-provisions-within-patriot-act-expire
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Senate+Allows+3+Provisions+Within+The+Patriot+Act+To+Expire&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4NDQ0NzQzMDEzMjA3NjYzMThiMzQ4ZQ004)"/></div><p>Mon, 01 Jun 2015 09:26:00 +0000Ailsa Chang70312 at http://publicradioeast.orgPresidential Hopeful Bernie Sanders To Face Test In New Hampshirehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/bernie-sanders-face-test-new-hampshire
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Presidential+Hopeful+Bernie+Sanders+To+Face+Test+In+New+Hampshire&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5Njc0ODg4MDEzNDA5MTE5NDRhNDMzYw004)"/></div><p>Fri, 29 May 2015 21:21:00 +0000Ailsa Chang70207 at http://publicradioeast.orgSenate Advances Bill To Give Obama 'Fast-Track' Trade Authorityhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/senate-advances-bill-give-obama-fast-track-trade-authority
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Senate+Advances+Bill+To+Give+Obama+%27Fast-Track%27+Trade+Authority&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MDc0NDkyMDEzMTQ4ODU0MTE0OGNiNg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>If it's Thursday, it's a scramble to get out of town, at least in the U.S. Senate. But not so fast. Before they can leave town for recess, senators need to slog through a few things.Thu, 21 May 2015 21:35:00 +0000Ailsa Chang69589 at http://publicradioeast.orgLawmakers Divided Over McConnell's Desire To Extend Surveillance Planhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/lawmakers-divided-over-mcconnells-desire-extend-surveillance-plan
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Lawmakers+Divided+Over+McConnell%27s+Desire+To+Extend+Surveillance+Plan&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODMzOTM1MDEyMTY4Mzc5OTliNTMwMg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Congress is deciding the conditions under which the National Security Agency can monitor your phone records.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>It's a decision that has to be made soon.Tue, 19 May 2015 09:08:00 +0000Ailsa Chang69361 at http://publicradioeast.orgA Trade Deal Read In Secret By Only A Few (Or Maybe None)http://publicradioeast.org/post/trade-deal-read-secret-only-few-or-maybe-none
<strong>This post was updated at 1 p.m. ET</strong><p>Senate leaders were all smiles Wednesday after they broke a 24-hour impasse and announced they had reached a deal on how to move forward on a fast-track trade negotiating bill. That legislation would give the president expedited authority to enter into a trade agreement with Pacific Rim countries, otherwise known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP.<p>But how senators will vote on this bill depends largely on how they feel about TPP. And there's one problem.<p>"I bet that none of my colleagues have read the entire document.Thu, 14 May 2015 12:47:00 +0000Ailsa Chang69009 at http://publicradioeast.orgA Trade Deal Read In Secret By Only A Few (Or Maybe None)Senators Deny Obama Authority To Expedite Pacific Trade Deal http://publicradioeast.org/post/senators-deny-obama-authority-expedite-pacific-trade-deal
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Senators+Deny+Obama+Authority+To+Expedite+Pacific+Trade+Deal+&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MDc0NDkyMDEzMTQ4ODU0MTE0OGNiNg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>The president's trade agenda stumbled in the Senate today. Members of his own party blocked a bill that would give the White House fast-track authority to enter a trade agreement with countries on the Pacific Rim. That agreement is the Trans Pacific Partnership.Tue, 12 May 2015 20:34:00 +0000Ailsa Chang68879 at http://publicradioeast.orgWhat Eye Contact — And Dogs — Can Teach Us About Civility In Politicshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/what-eye-contact-and-dogs-can-teach-us-about-civility-politics
Republican Warren Limmer sits in the second row of the Minnesota state Senate. He says more than 80 percent of his colleagues sit behind him. But he doesn't dare turn around to look at them when he gets up to speak.<p>He might get scolded. It has happened before.<p>"Then my cadence is thrown off," Limmer said. "I have to beg forgiveness to the Senate president. And then I'll get a slight admonishment, and then I can proceed."<p>Minnesota Senate Rule 36.8 requires that all remarks during debate be addressed to the Senate president at the front of the chamber. It has been on the books forever.Fri, 08 May 2015 09:04:00 +0000Ailsa Chang68565 at http://publicradioeast.orgWhat Eye Contact — And Dogs — Can Teach Us About Civility In PoliticsFull Senate Debates May Reveal Recent Bipartisanship As An Illusionhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/full-senate-debates-may-reveal-recent-bipartisanship-illusion
Just a few weeks ago we heard a lot about a delicate compromise that would allow Congress <a href="http://www.npr.org/2015/04/14/399641350/senate-panel-backs-bill-to-allow-congressional-review-of-iran-deal" target="_blank">to review any deal emerging from nuclear talks with Iran</a>. It came from a bipartisan negotiation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — to wide acclaim.<p>But that deal still needs to survive a vote of the full Senate, a far more daunting challenge in these partisan times.Sat, 02 May 2015 20:17:00 +0000Ailsa Chang68156 at http://publicradioeast.orgFull Senate Debates May Reveal Recent Bipartisanship As An IllusionSeeking Presidency, 'Socialist' Sanders Looks To Elevate Less-Talked About Issueshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/seeking-presidency-socialist-sanders-looks-elevate-less-talked-about-issues
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is running for president, <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/29/403151700/vermont-sen-bernie-sanders-jumps-into-the-presidential-race">he said Wednesday night</a>. He will be challenging Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and the self-described "Democratic Socialist" will keep the pressure on Clinton to move to the left.<p>Sanders has lamented for a long time what he thinks has been woefully missing from the national conversation.<p>"We don't talk about the real issues facing the American people. We don't talk about it.Thu, 30 Apr 2015 00:52:00 +0000Ailsa Chang67944 at http://publicradioeast.orgSeeking Presidency, 'Socialist' Sanders Looks To Elevate Less-Talked About IssuesIn Latest Outbreak Of Bipartisanship, Senate Compromises On Trafficking Billhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/latest-outbreak-bipartisanship-senate-compromises-trafficking-bill
A logjam over an anti-human trafficking bill has finally broken in the Senate. Senate negotiators reached a deal after a long impasse over language on abortion funding.Tue, 21 Apr 2015 21:37:00 +0000Ailsa Chang67318 at http://publicradioeast.orgIn Latest Outbreak Of Bipartisanship, Senate Compromises On Trafficking BillHelping Bridge Congress' Iran Divide, Sen. Ben Cardin Moves Into Spotlight http://publicradioeast.org/post/sen-ben-cardin-moves-spotlight-iran-nuclear-bill
It was a fluke that turned Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland into the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez got hit with criminal charges and gave the rank up. Now, just two weeks into his new gig, Cardin has helped bridge the divide on legislation letting Congress weigh in on a nuclear deal with Iran.Tue, 14 Apr 2015 20:21:00 +0000Ailsa Chang66786 at http://publicradioeast.orgHelping Bridge Congress' Iran Divide, Sen. Ben Cardin Moves Into Spotlight Budget Reconciliation Explained Through Chutes And Ladders http://publicradioeast.org/post/budget-reconciliation-explained-through-chutes-and-ladders
There's a word you're going to be hearing a lot as Congress tries to pass a budget this year: reconciliation. It's a procedural fast-track lawmakers get to use after they approve a budget. Republicans are hoping to repeal the Affordable Care Act — or, at least parts of it — through reconciliation, but they're not likely to win that game.<p>Maybe the best way to think about reconciliation is through the favorite board game Chutes and Ladders. The object is to get to the very last square on the board.Fri, 20 Mar 2015 20:24:00 +0000Ailsa Chang64953 at http://publicradioeast.orgBudget Reconciliation Explained Through Chutes And Ladders Missed Abortion Language Tangles Senate's Trafficking Billhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/missed-abortion-language-tangles-senates-trafficking-bill
A once widely supported Senate bill that would create a fund for human trafficking victims has hit a snag over language Democrats say they didn't know was in the bill — a provision that would bar funds collected under the measure from being used to pay for abortions. And the impasse over that language now threatens to delay other Senate business, like confirming a new attorney general.<p>The bill would create a "Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund" — a restitution fund for victims collected through fines on people convicted of trafficking crimes.Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:37:00 +0000Ailsa Chang64604 at http://publicradioeast.orgMissed Abortion Language Tangles Senate's Trafficking Bill